Many people ask me why Vermont? I have lived in many states and have chosen Vermont. Why not choose Vermont, I reply. Every single season is beautiful even when it rains. Vermont has a camaraderie unlike any other place I have lived; neighbors are there for each other, you recognize people around town and people always smile and say hi.
Vermonters have a passion driven behind everything they do and it is know as Vermont Strong. Vermont Strong is when neighbors, friends, strangers get together to help others out in need, as we saw after tropical storm Irene.
There is this strange season called stick season, yup stick season. It is in the fall after 95 percent of the leaves have blown away and there is no snow in the mountains. It is this dull grey world at first glance, but once you see it in the early morning or later afternoon light it is beautiful again.
You know winter is right around the corner when you step outside and smell a wood fire. It lingers in the air like a cake fresh out of the oven and never leaves your nostrils.
There is endless amounts of fun activities in the winter including, skiing, sledding, snowball fights and anything else that makes us adults feel and act like kids again. Once that white stuff called snow begins falling from the skies and sticking to the ground the fun begins.
And if dairy isn't your fancy come try some of our beer. The Long Trail Brewing Company has released a limited release for a new brew called “Goodnight Irene”. The proceeds from sales of this beer will be distributed throughout multiple organizations working towards Irene relief. What's cooler than that?
So why not come visit us here in the great state of Vermont. We love visitors and in less than a month Stowe will be open for skiing!
Baby its getting colder outside in the month of October! Last week we had our first big frost two nights is a row and then temperatures warmed back up just in time for Columbus Day weekend and Fall foliage. Foliage is in its prime this year and I have been finding every excuse possible to be outside enjoying it!
From Hiking Hell Brook Trail to The Chin, which is the summit of Mount Mansfield, to morning mountain bike rides and walking my dog along the Stowe Quiet Path the foliage is everywhere and a fiery blaze through the trees. I have put together a few different video segments of my last week’s worth of adventures and driving around to check out the foliage so I hope you enjoy!
Looking for a hike check out the Green Mountain Club online to see what is open. My personal recommendations: Stowe Pinnacle and Sterling Pond for Shorter Day Hikes and for slightly longer hikes, Mount Hunger and The Long Trail South form Rt. 108 to The Chin. Not much of a hiker? Take the toll road to the summit and traverse across Mansfield to see some stunning views and enjoy the foliage from up high.
Hurry now Summer attractions closes on October 16th!
Facts about Fall Foliage: 1. As a general rule, you can be assured of viewing brilliant colors from the last week of September through the first two weeks of October in Stowe, Vermont. 2. June 21st, the longest day of the year, is the day that begins the chemical changes in the trees that months later produce the vibrant hues of reds, gold's and yellows we see and know as foliage! 3. Shorter days and colder temperatures cause chlorophyll (the green pigment found in leaves) to move from the leaf to the branch. The hues of yellow and orange (that were always present) then become visible. 4. Warmer fall days produce sugar in the leaves, which is then trapped in the leaf when the temperature drops at night. As the sugar accumulates, the leaves turn hues of red. 5. Leaves of the sugar maple, red maple, red oak, sweet gum, black gum and sourwood, typically turn hues of red. However, they can produce yellow leaves as well. 6. Leaves of birch, elm, poplar, redbud and hickory, always turn hues of gold & yellow. 7. Leaves of the Sumac tree produce a maroon color. 8. The weather plays a large role in foliage...Cool nights and warm fall days, a wet spring and a temperate summer (not too hot, cold, rainy, etc.) all make for a fantastic leaf-peeping season
Also, every Saturday there is free music in Spruce Plaza AND Spruce Peak Art’s and Crafts festival.
Are you like me and even though you love fall foliage you are more stoked on skiing and wanting the snow to start flying. Well have no fear we are getting closer and closer by the day to maybe a late October snow storm or the never failing beginning of snow making season here on the mountain.
Still at a loss of what to do before the snow starts flying? Check out the SMR Calendar for everything going on at the resort as well as GoStowe.com, the website with everything else you could imagine that goes on in our town! From great dining to bikes paths and shopping downtown Stowe has it all!
Season Passes are NOW on SALE!!!! What does a season’s pass get you? Everything you could dream of and more outside of skiing and riding!!
• A complimentary CrossCountry Season Pass • 20% discount at Stowe Mountain Resort Retail Shops (non-sale items only) • Additional 10% discount on skis and boards at any Resort Retail Shop (non-sale items only) • $100 off the Stowe Toys All Access Program • 20% discount on Tuning Services at Stowe Mountain Resort Tuning Shops • 10% discount at the Cliff House Restaurant and the Cottage (food only) • 20% off private lessons and mountain clinics (Mon-Fri/non-holiday periods) • Free use of the Exhibition Hill race course (weekends and holidays)
Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the snow season!!
